Book Reviews

Before we dive into the 10 best business books for entrepreneurs, I have a secret that I want to share with you…

You may or may not know this but, I am a high school dropout. I never finished high school. I quit half way through my last year. I’ve gone on to build an amazing life and business which I attribute it to one thing– I read a lot of books. Not only do I read books, I implement what the books tell me to do in my life and my business and it works. One day a famous author asked me why I wasn’t in one of her programs and I said, “Plain and simple, I don’t need your program, I read the book and I did the work to put it into action.”

That is the power of a good book and I have 10 such books that I have read (some of them more than once). They’re instrumental in my own success – and they can be in yours too.

I just realized I have been reading a LOT in 2013 (six books so far) and I thought I would share what I’ve been poking my nose into in case you are looking for a good book.

Don’t worry – I don’t share unless I have finished the book or I am at least half way done and still really into it. I will use RWT (read whole thing) and HWD (half way done) beside each title so you know what to expect!

Also, these are affiliate links. That means if you click and buy a book that I suggest, Amazon might send me some pocket change for the next book I buy.

I devoured this book in 24 hours. It was one of those stories with so many incredible life lessons that I could not put it down. I think everyone needs to read this book if you need a little motivation to stay the course and follow your dreams. Exceptionally well written, could not put down.

I devoured this book in 72 hours and I fell in love with Og Mandino. My only regret is that Og has passed on and I will never get to meet the man who wrote the book and shared such wonderful life lessons. This book is like being mentored by your grandfather, Og makes you feel capable and loved with his words.

Want to do more than just get more done? How about get what matters done so that you are making quantum leaps in your business? This book makes too much sense and has changed the way I plan and prioritize my day. Put it this way, I eat my frog in the morning, and I focus on the top three things that only I can do in my business a whole lot more. Excellent read! (thanks Tonya Davidson for recommending).

This book is great if you are a big and forward thinker. Randy Gage makes you think about zagging when everyone else is zigging. The author reminds me a lot about myself except at times he is a bit bolder (perhaps more arrogant) than I am. He was raised by a single mom, is a high school drop out and owns houses in more than one country. Great content and gives you a LOT to think about.

This is not another just another social media book but rather a book about connections and relationships. I always enjoy what Chris and Julien have to say and this book did not disappoint. They have a way of writing that makes you feel like they totally get you, and are talking with you. This was the perfect complement to Trust Agents which I also really enjoyed.

I admit it, I watched Super Soul Sunday with Oprah and fell in love with Gabby and downloaded her book right away. I try and nourish my mind with a variety of books that can impact my life in many different facets. I like to read business in the morning when my mind is sharp and ready to take on the day, and about self help, spirituality topics before I go to sleep so I can focus on what I want in my life. This book was dynamite and I felt like it gave me permission to be spiritual on my terms!

So what are you reading? Leave me a comment below on the best book you’ve read in the past year and while we are on the topic of books, how about you take a moment and write up a review for one of your favorite authors?

This is what I am buying this week on my iPad. If you are an out of the box kind of thinker and love to read, you might want to check this out!

The Fire Starter Sessions is an apathy-kicking, integrity-infusing guide to defining success on your own terms.

As the creator of DanielleLaPorte.com–deemed “the best place online for kick-ass spirituality,” Danielle LaPorte’s straight-talk life-and-livelihood sermons have been read by over one million people. Bold but empathetic, she reframes popular self-help and success concepts:

: Life balance is a myth, and the pursuit of it is causing us more stress then the craving for balance itself.
: Being well-rounded is over-rated. When you focus on developing your true strengths, you enter your mastery zone.
: Screw your principles (they might be holding you back).
: We have ambition backwards. Getting clear on how you want to feel in your life + work is more important than setting goals. It’s the most potent form of clarity that you can have, and it’s what leads to true fulfillment.

Are you investing time and money to attend networking events? Are you meeting people and exchanging business cards, but not getting the results you want? Are you hesitant to network at all because it’s unpleasant, frustrating, time-consuming, and ineffective?

Many books on the topic of networking and business relationships encourage you to get out there, network as much as possible, and exchange dozens of business cards. Not so fast! Networking and business referral expert Patti DeNucci believes you could be trying too hard, networking too much, and doing so without enough planning and focus. What’s more, you could be networking in the wrong places, with the wrong people, and in ways that could sabotage your reputation and your chances of attracting what you want. In response, Patti wrote The Intentional Networker: Attracting Powerful Relationships, Referrals & Results in Business, a book that teaches you a more holistic, purposeful, and effective approach to networking.
The book offers time-tested tips that will help you:

Network less while attracting more and better results

Maximize your networking success before you even set foot out the door

Experience the power of becoming more focused and selective

Learn how and why small details matter and are keys to your success

Discover insider secrets to giving and getting better referrals

Patti was inspired to write The Intentional Networker after spending nearly 25 years experiencing and observing how business people network and attempt to attract more connections, customers, relationships, and referrals. She paid close attention to what worked and what didn’t: for her, for those who wanted her referrals and business, for her clients and colleagues, and for those she simply observed. Patti noticed that many people network in ways that aren’t focused, effective, or memorable, and in many cases actually backfire or hurt their reputations.

(Official disclaimer – If you order through the links above I may receive a small affiliate fee!)

Sandra Yancey is quite the trailblazer. She wrote a book many years ago that is a must read if Networking and Relationships are important to you and your business. The thing that I love about Sandra though is she more than talks the talk when it comes to networking. She walks the walk. Sandra has been a hugely supportive influence and mentor to me and I am grateful for her wisdom and the knowledge that she is one of my connections.

I’ve learned tons from her and put it all and more into use when preparing for any face-to-face networking event (click here to find out how)!

From Amazon.com: “Powerful people get things done – and those with thriving networks know who to call to make things happen. Networking master Sandra Yancey shares secrets and techniques behind her own phenomenal success to help women use their natural relationship-building talents to turn everyday contacts into powerful business and life connections. Hone the art of female conversation, discover an attitude of abundance, create a magnetic business presence, master the 20-second introduction, and turn your interactions into transactions.”

Providing abundance is humanity’s grandest challenge–this is a book about how we rise to meet it. We will soon be able to meet and exceed the basic needs of every man, woman and child on the planet. Abundance for all is within our grasp. This bold, contrarian view, backed up by exhaustive research, introduces our near-term future, where exponentially growing technologies and three other powerful forces are conspiring to better the lives of billions. An antidote to pessimism by tech entrepreneur turned philanthropist, Peter H. Diamandis and award-winning science writer Steven Kotler.”